Chrysanthemum plant named Bridesmaid

ABSTRACT

A Chrysanthemum plant named Bridesmaid having white ray florets formed from tubes, flat capitulum form, single anemone capitulum type, and diameter of inflorescence of 40-50 mm.

The present invention comprises a new and distinct cultivar ofChrysanthemum morifolium, hereinafter referred to by the cultivar nameBridesmaid.

Bridesmaid is a product of a planned breeding program which had theobjective of creating new Chrysanthemum cultivars with single (anemone)capitulum type, white ray florets, nine (9) weeks response, largenumbers of flowers along the stem, and the ability to producecommercially acceptable quality in year around cut mum programs. Suchtraits in combination were not present or needed improvement inpreviously available commercial cultivars.

Bridesmaid was originated from a hybridization made by applicant in acontrolled breeding program in De Lier, Holland in 1979. The femaleparent was Smile. The male parent of Bridesmaid was White Marguerite, anunpatented and former commercial cultivar.

Bridesmaid was discovered and selected by applicant as one floweringplant within the progeny of the stated parentage by applicant in June1979 in a controlled environment in De Lier, Holland.

The first act of asexual reproduction of Bridesmaid was accomplishedwhen vegetative cuttings were taken from the initial selection in August1979 in a controlled environment in De Lier, Holland by a technicianworking under formulations established and supervised by applicant.Horticultural examination of selected units initiated in March 1980 hasdemonstrated that the combination of characteristics as herein disclosedfor Bridesmaid are firmly fixed and are retained through successivegenerations of asexual reproduction.

Bridesmaid has not been observed under all possible environmentalconditions. The phenotype may vary significantly with variations inenvironment such as temperature, light intensity, and day length. Thefollowing observations, measurements and comparisons describe plantsgrown in De Lier, Holland under greenhouse conditions which approximatethose generally used in commercial practice.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe basic characteristics of Bridesmaid, which in combination distinguishthis Chrysanthemum as a new and distinct cultivar:

1. Flat capitulum form.

2. Single (anemone) capitulum type.

3. White ray florets, which are produced during maturing of the flowerfrom tubes. Thus, prior to fully opening, the flowers resemblespider-like inflorescence.

4. Diameter across the face of the capitulum is 40-50 mm.

5. Yellow-green cushion (immature) to yellow (mature) disc florets.

Of the many commercial cultivars known to the present inventor, the mostsimilar in comparison to Bridesmaid is Smile. In comparison to Smile,Bridesmaid has more vigor, no compound spray, more cream white rayfloret color, and the production of numerous flowers along the stem. Thecapitulum form and capitulum type are similar to those samecharacteristics of Smile.

The accompanying photographic drawing shows in front view typicalinflorescnece and foliage characteristics of Bridesmaid, with colorsbeing as nearly true as possible with illustrations of this type.

In the following description, color references are made to the RoyalHorticultural Society Colour Chart. The color values were determinedbetween 11:00 a.m. and 12:00 noon in April 1980 under natural daylightat De Lier, Holland.

Classification:

Botanical.--Chrysanthemum morifolium, Ramat., cv. Bridesmaid.

Commercial.--Cut anemone spray.

INFLORESCENCE

A. Capitulum:

Form.--Flat.

Type.--Anemone, with flat mature ray florets being formed from tubes.

Diameter across face.--40-50 mm.

B. Corolla of ray florets:

Color (general tonality from a distance of three meters).--White.

Color (upper surface).--155D.

C. Corolla of disc florets:

Color (mature).--Yellow-green.

Color (immature).--Yellow.

D. Reproductive organs:

Androecium.--Present only in some disc florets; few.

Gynoecium.--Present in both disc and ray florets; numerous.

PLANT

A. General appearance:

Height.--100 cm.

B. Foliage:

Color (upper surface).--167A.

Color (under surface).--167B.

Shape.--Strongly indented.

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of Chrysanthemum plant namedBridesmaid, as illustrated and described, and parts thereof.